Take Action: Legislation to repeal the HIV Travel Ban is being considered in the Senate right now!

Posted on July 18, 2008
Filed Under Gay News Blog

The U.S. bars anyone with HIV/AIDS from immigrating or visiting - even as a tourist. HIV is the only disease singled out by Congress for special treatment. The ban is unfair, ineffective, and disproportionately harmful to LGBT immigrants and their families. While opposite-sex couples qualify for a waiver to the ban, same-sex couples do not.

Today the Senate is considering legislation that would end the ban. Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Gordon Smith (R-OR) added language to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which is being debated on the Senate floor today.

Send a message urging your Senators to support the Kerry-Smith provision and to ensure that the repeal of the ban on HIV-positive visitors and immigrants remains in PEPFAR.

Immigration Equality has been working to end the HIV ban for more than a decade. Don’t let this opportunity pass us by - contact your Senators now and ask them to repeal the HIV travel ban.

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